Richard Howard Coomler
Richard Howard Coomler, 80, of Cottage Grove, Oregon, passed away on Sept. 18, 2019 in Eugene.
He was born April 23, 1939 in Silverton to parents Howard Henry Coomler and Hazel Jeanette (McCullock) Coomler.
Richard graduated from Cottage Grove High School in ’57 and joined the National Guard while still in high school. He married Shirley Morgan in ’57; they had four children together.
Richard went to work for the Bohemia Lumber Company at Culp Creek in ’58 as a sheet turner at the plywood mill and, at age 23, went on the become the youngest foreman that Bohemia Lumber had ever had. He was promoted to plywood manager, then plant manager and is remembered for working diligently on behalf of the company and to benefit all of its employees.
After the Culp Creek plant closed, Richard went to work for the Bohemia laminated beam plant in Vaughn, Ore. and later for the Springfield plant as a supervisor until his retirement.
Richard was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing – particularly at his cabin on the Deschutes River – and spending time with his friends and family. He was also a member of the Elks Lodge in Bend. Richard was an Oregon Ducks fan and enjoyed attending local games.
He met his partner, Maxine, in August ’03, and they spent years together building a beautiful home overlooking the sea of Cortez in Baja, Calif., where they enjoyed fishing, kayaking and spending time with friends.
Richard is survived by his longtime partner, Maxine Weiss; daughters, Darla Compton of Eugene, Vickie Hill of Roseburg; and son, Douglas Coomler of Reno, Nevada; sister, Diane Berg of Salinas, Calif; brother, David Coomler of Portland; niece, Tafi Sherrill; nine grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Jeanette Coomler; his daughter, Dawn McGeHee; and his sister, Kristi Sherrill.
The family will have a private visitation from 9 to 9:30 a.m., preceding a 10 a.m. funeral service, on Saturday, Oct. 5 at Smith-Lund-Mills Funeral Chapel in Cottage Grove, with reception to follow.
